Saxophonist Pietro to Perform with Wyoming Jazz Ensemble Thursday

February 11, 2013 — Dave Pietro, an internationally known saxophonist, composer
and educator will perform with the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble Thursday, Feb. 14, at
7:30 p.m. in the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Tickets cost $7 for the public and $5 for students and
senior citizens. To purchase tickets, visit the Fine Arts or Wyoming Union box
offices or visit the website at http://uwyo.edu/finearts.

Pietro has performed at a variety of jazz clubs, jazz
festivals, schools and concert halls in more than 30 countries. He has played
lead alto saxophone and recorded six CDs with the Toshiko Akiyoshi jazz
orchestra and has released an additional six CDs with various well-known
musicians.

He has toured or recorded with the bands of Woody Herman,
Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Maria Schneider, The Village Vanguard Jazz
Orchestra, John Fedchock, Mike Holober, Anita Brown, Pete McGuinness, Jim
Widner and Arturo O’Farrill.

All About Jazz described Pietro’s fifth CD “Embrace:
Impressions of Brazil” as a “triumph, one of the most satisfying Brazilian jazz
mixed since the first bossa nova tsunami.”

Pietro was selected as a semifinalist for the first two
Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Saxophone competitions and was
a finalist in the 1995 JAZZIZ Magazine "Woodwinds on Fire" talent
search. In 1996 he received a National Endowment for the Arts grant and has
received additional recognition.

He received a master's degree in jazz composition from New York
University where he is an assistant professor
of jazz studies.

Scott Turpen, UW professor of music and director of jazz
studies, will direct the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble, UW’s premiere big band. The
ensemble regularly earns the highest ratings at national jazz festivals.